Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington. Washington Pulse
US, Israel hold second virtual meeting on Rafah Biden administration officials have denied offering to green-light an Israeli invasion of Rafah if Israel holds off on retaliating against Iran. Washington Pulse
One year on Sudan’s war: 14,700 killed, 8.6M displaced, 4.9M face starvation As the war in Sudan enters its second year, the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day with no prospects of an imminent end of the hostilities. North Africa Pulse
State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war. Washington Pulse
Hunger crisis in Yemen should be a ‘wake up call,’ UN warns The number of Yemenis experiencing “catastrophic food insecurity” could triple by the end of June 2021. Yemen
US confirms Greece is seeking to buy F-35s amid tensions with Turkey The US acknowledgment follows a report earlier this month that Athens formally requested to buy as many as 24 of the advanced fighter aircraft. Turkey
Kushner to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar to try to mend Gulf rift Jared Kushner's planned trip to the Gulf comes after the assassination of an Iranian nuclear scientist and a high-profile visit between Israel and Saudi Arabia's leaders. Originals
Intel: Rights groups urge US to nix arms sales to UAE The organizations warned the major weapons sale could contribute to further instability and violent conflict in the Middle East. United Arab Emirates
US sanctions Libyan militia, leader loyal to Hifter The US Treasury Department blacklisted the Kaniyat militia and Mohamed al-Kani over alleged human rights abuses. Libya
Yemen’s Houthis grant UN inspectors access to aging oil tanker Experts say the FSO Safer, a dilapidated vessel that contains more than a million barrels of light crude oil, is at risk of rupturing and spilling more oil than the Exxon Valdez. Yemen
In a changing Middle East, Abraham Accords will usher in new era for technology Collaboration in the form of partnerships and joint ventures around technology between Israel and the United Arab Emirates could be indicative of the wider shift expected in a post-Abraham Accords Middle East. United Arab Emirates
Progressives divided over Biden’s expected pick for Pentagon chief Michele Flournoy's stated openness to curtailing offensive weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may have reduced opposition from progressive Democrats Saudi Arabia
China looks to boost its GCC interests with 'vaccine diplomacy' Eager to lift the lockdowns and limit the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on their economies, several Gulf Cooperation Council states are participating in trials of a vaccine produced in China, which seems to focus on countries that hold strategic interest for Beijing or are part of its Belt and Road Initiative. Legacy: Gulf
Saudi Arabia denies secret meeting with Israeli officials during Pompeo visit Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Faisal bin Farhan, said no meeting between Saudi Arabia and Israeli officials took place. Israel
Pompeo visits Saudi crown prince to discuss Iran The US Secretary of State also talked about the war in Yemen with the Saudi crown prince, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with them. Originals
Archive Upfront from Nov 23, 2020 Biden’s new secretary of state ready to take on the Middle East Antony Blinken, President-elect Joe Biden's choice to lead the State Department, has worked alongside Biden for nearly two decades. United States
